The Whiskey and Wireless Podcast

In this episode, Ron Willett sits down with Allen Bennion, Director of RINA Operations, to talk about 20 years of powering rural wireless through partnership, persistence, and plenty of tower climbs.Allen shares how RINA helps regional carriers survive and thrive in a changing industry, what’s next for rural 5G, and why consolidation, shared infrastructure, and new revenue streams like RCS are the key to long-term success.They also talk about Allen’s background growing up in Vernal, Utah, family life, leadership, values, and why the best therapy might involve a horse, a mountain trail, and no cell service.Subscribe for more conversations with the people who power the wireless world.#WhiskeyAndWireless #TelecomPodcast #WirelessIndustry #Business #podcast

In Episode 12 of Whiskey and Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Stephanie Lashley, VP of Messaging Strategic Alliances & Infrastructure at Bandwidth -  widely known in the industry as the Queen of Messaging.Stephanie shares her journey from growing up in Kansas City to building her career at Sprint and Bandwidth, her perspective on the evolution of A2P messaging and 10DLC, and why she believes RCS is finally here to stay.They also discuss:• The explosive growth of political and retail messaging post-2020• The role of marketing in solving objections before they arise• How Bandwidth scaled messaging from a “fledgling product” to a major revenue driver• Leadership lessons, customer-centric strategy, and what’s next in messaging• The growing momentum of women in telecom, including the Women in Messaging Dinner at MWCPlus: how travel, Taylor Swift, and sardines all tie in.Subscribe for more candid conversations with the people shaping the wireless ecosystem.#WhiskeyAndWireless #StephanieLashley #Bandwidth #MessagingLeadership #RCS #10DLC #A2P #TelecomPodcast #WomenInTelecom #CarrierTech #WirelessMessaging #MEF #BusinessMessaging

In Episode 11 of Whiskey and Wireless, Ron Willett sits down with Erik Levitt, CEO of Viper Networks, for a fast-moving, story-filled conversation about the wild road from rural Dominica to building a full-scale wireless carrier.Erik shares how growing up in the Caribbean shaped his mindset, what it took to launch his first company at 21, and how he’s evolved across three decades of entrepreneurship, from data centers to messaging, and now full mobile network deployment.They also cover:-Building an independent wireless carrier in underserved markets-The surprising resilience of wholesale voice-Smart cities, solar energy, and what’s next for Viper Networks-How music, risk, and reinvention fuel long-term successOh, and yes, Erik once sang the national anthem at Madison Square Garden.Subscribe for more conversations with the people pushing the wireless world forward.

In Episode 10 of The Whiskey and Wireless Podcast, Ron Willett sits down with industry veteran Paul Ruppert, President of Global Point View Ltd., for one of our most wide-ranging conversations yet.From launching one of the first GSM networks in North America to negotiating 100+ international roaming agreements, Paul has shaped global telecom policy, messaging interoperability, and carrier strategy for decades. But the story doesn’t stop there.Paul also shares personal stories about his father's role in the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, how global travel shaped his perspective, and why he believes RCS, AI, and network APIs are the next strategic inflection point for messaging.They also explore:• The evolution of international roaming and SMS interoperability• What regional carriers must understand about RCS readiness• Lessons from decades in mobile, politics, and consulting• The importance of leadership, clarity, and asking the right questionsThis episode blends history, strategy, and a little Johnny Walker Blue.Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the future of wireless.#TelecomPodcast #WhiskeyAndWireless #PaulRuppert #GlobalPointView #RCS #Roaming #MessagingStrategy #WirelessLeadership #A2P #SMSInteroperability #CarrierStrategy #BusinessMessaging #TelecomHistory #NetworkAPIs

In Episode 9, Ron Willett sits down with Brian Stafford, CEO of nativeMsg, for a deep dive into the future of business messaging, and why RCS is finally having its moment.Brian shares his 7+ year journey building an RCS-first company, how nativeMsg is transforming messaging into rich, interactive experiences, and why timing, AI integration, and user education are everything.They also discuss:• Why the Apple + Google RCS shift changes the game• nativeMsg’s new partnership with IBM• Real use cases and enterprise adoption trends• Building a messaging company while raising four kids• Sports, startups, and the lessons that carry overIf you work in messaging, telecom, or B2B tech, this one’s for you.🎧 Subscribe for more wireless conversations that don’t pull punches.

In this episode, Ron Willett sits down with Meredith Wiegman, Senior Product Manager, Fraud at Vonage, to talk about her remarkable journey; from joining ClearSky Technologies with no telecom background to becoming one of the most respected voices in business messaging and fraud prevention.Meredith opens up about balancing career and motherhood, her transition through ClearSky, Sinch, and Vonage, and how curiosity shaped her path. She and Ron discuss everything from A2P messaging and 10DLC to the rise of RCS, the importance of network APIs, and the industry’s renewed focus on fraud prevention and trust in business messaging.They also touch on:• The evolution of business messaging post‑COVID• How remote work reshaped the telecom industry• The rise of women in wireless and the Women in Telecom initiative• ClearSky’s growth, industry changes, and new technologies like RCS• Why fraud prevention is essential to the future of messagingThis episode is part personal story, part telecom deep‑dive, and it marks a full‑circle moment for both Ron and Meredith.Listen now and subscribe for more candid conversations with the people who power the wireless world.

In this episode of Whiskey & Wireless, host Ron Willett sits down with Randall Peterson, a telecom veteran with over 20 years of experience in roaming and regional wireless. From his early career at Union Wireless in Wyoming to his current role at Comfone, Randall shares unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing regional carriers, the evolution of roaming, and the future of connectivity worldwide.You’ll hear stories about:-Building a career in wireless starting as a programmer-How roaming shaped the survival of regional carriers-The role of roaming hubs and travel eSIMs in today’s market-Life in rural Wyoming vs. Orlando and the lifestyle changes that come with it-Randall’s passion for soccer and how global travel connects both his work and personal lifeWhether you’re in wireless, telecom, or messaging, this episode offers practical perspective on the importance of regional carriers, the impact of global roaming, and what the future holds for mobile operators worldwide.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with wireless industry leaders.#podcast #business #telecom #wireless

In this episode, Ron Willett sits down with Chip Damato, Director of Business Development at ClearSky Technologies and former COO of Inland Cellular, to talk about the evolution of the wireless industry over the last 25+ years.From the days of ringtones and flip phones to today’s RCS campaigns and network authentication, Chip shares real stories, industry insights, and a few laughs, including the first mid-show whiskey refill on our podcast. They also dig into Chip's baseball career, the challenges regional carriers face, and what it takes to build long-term success in telecom.Subscribe for more episodes with the people who power the wireless world.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve Legge, CEO of Netnumber, to talk telecom, leadership, and what Mission Impossible has to do with...well, anything. From his love of auto racing to the real-world challenges of modern networks, Steve shares stories, lessons, and laughs you won’t hear anywhere else.Subscribe for weekly conversations with telecom leaders!

In Episode 4 of The Whiskey and Wireless Podcast, host Ron Willett sits down with another industry voice for a no-fluff conversation about what’s really happening in telecom.They dig into the wins, the growing pains, and why wives think yachts are more dangerous than fishing boats - over a pour of great whiskey. 🎧 Subscribe for future episodes and follow us on LinkedIn to join the conversation.#WhiskeyAndWireless #TelecomPodcast #CarrierTalk #Telecom #Messaging #NetworkOps #WirelessIndustry #ClearSky

In this episode of The Whiskey and Wireless Podcast, host Ron Willett sits down with ClearSky’s Head of Sales, Tony Tagliareni. The two talk about their decades-long friendship, how the wireless industry has evolved, and what’s next for messaging, from A2P to RCS and beyond. It’s an honest, laid-back conversation between two people who’ve seen the industry grow from the inside.

In this episode of The Whiskey and Wireless Podcast, Ron Willett sits down with Marcelo Frizzo, VP of Strategic Accounts North America at Infobip. They talk about where messaging is heading, what brands really want from carriers, and how the ecosystem is evolving beyond SMS. It’s a candid, forward-looking conversation with someone who’s been in the room where big messaging decisions get made.#WhiskeyAndWireless #Podcast #Messaging #Infobip #Telecom #CarrierTools #FutureOfMessaging

Grab your favorite drink and join Ron Willett for a laid-back conversation with Eddie DeCurtis from Shush—ClearSky’s partner for Silent Network Authentication. They swap stories about starting a company from scratch, share behind-the-scenes industry insights, and dive into their own friendship. It’s an honest, fun look at what it really takes to build innovative security solutions in telecom.